Wilmington Mayor Carney vetoes water shutoff protection ordinance

An ordinance aimed at protecting some Wilmington residents from having their water cut off for lack of payment was vetoed by Mayor John Carney Wednesday.

Wilmington City Council narrowly passed Ord. 25-107 (sub. 2) earlier this month, that would exempt households making equal or less than 350% of the Federal Poverty Level from water shutoffs, if they had a resident over 65, a disability, or children under age 5.

In Wilmington, that works out to $115,500 for a family of four, $75,740 for a couple, and $55,860 for a one-person household. 

About 3,700 Wilmington households met that criteria in April, according to Wilmington’s Office of Management & Budget, accounting for about 11.7% of households in the city, amounting to about $1.86 million that would be mostly lost, especially from the two categories not involving children.

OMB estimated that those households run up a bill of about $3.39 million each year, so if 10% of those households never make up the difference, that would cost the city about $339,000.

Mayor Carney said in his veto letter, “We cannot endorse a policy that creates an environment that incentivizes individuals not to pay for our public utilities through a system of user fees. I fully support the need and desire to reassess how our water utility operates and to assist our customers.”

Councilwoman Shané Darby has championed similar legislation for the past six years, noting that council has approved water rate hikes in all of the past six years.

“Access to water is essential to life, and our most vulnerable residents should never lose it because they are struggling financially.”

She noted that Wilmington’s Water Assistance Program primarily doesn’t kick in until families are already in debt.

In addition, she noted that over 10,000 Wilmington residents owe about $12 million in either water, sewer, or stormwater fees, all utilities which are run by the city of Wilmington.

Despite all the money being owed, Wilmington made 48 water shutoffs in 2025, down from each of the two previous years.

Wilmington City Council voted 7-5 in support of the measure, and to override Carney’s veto, it would need to receive 9 yes votes for a 2/3 majority.

Voting Yes: Alex Hackett, Chris Johnson, Christian Willauer, Zanthia Oliver, Shané Darby, Coby Owens, Trippi Congo

Voting No: James Spadola, Maria Cabrera, Nate Field, Latisha Bracy, Michelle Harlee

Not Present: Yolanda McCoy

Council is expected to take the override vote during their general meeting on Thursday, August 6.